"Your Highness, the British maritime supply lines have nearly been severed by our raiding fleet and submarine forces. However, a significant number of American merchant vessels have filled this gap, allowing the British to continuously acquire the essential supplies they require from around the globe. This poses a considerable setback to our strategy of besieging Britain, nearly rendering our efforts futile," Marshal Tirpitz remarked to Qin Tian.
Qin Tian nodded, recognizing that this American intervention was indeed detrimental to Germany. It amounted to the United States using Britain and France as instruments to weaken the power of the German Empire. By remaining in the background, they not only profited immensely from the war but also enhanced their influence on the world stage. Thus, Qin Tian had always regarded the United States as Germany's greatest adversary. If Germany aspired to secure its status as a world power, it would inevitably need to subdue the United States and eliminate the threat they posed to the German Empire. Otherwise, the U.S. would eventually become a significant menace.
"The United States is currently a neutral country, and we cannot take action against them. Provoking such a formidable foe before defeating Britain and France would be exceedingly unwise," Qin Tian replied, shaking his head. He felt helpless; the strength of the United States was daunting, and he was reluctant to confront them at this stage. Unless Germany achieved victory in this war, he intended to avoid conflict with America.
"Your Highness, it seems you are being overly cautious regarding the American issue. While their power is considerable, we need not fear them, especially now that Russia has withdrawn from the conflict. Their threat to us is considerably diminished," Tirpitz countered after some contemplation.
Qin Tian was taken aback, struggling to grasp Tirpitz's perspective. It was challenging for him not to feel apprehensive about the United States. In the future, America would be the world's foremost power, a global police force, dominating militarily. Such a powerful nation cast a long shadow over other countries, including Germany, evoking a natural fear in Qin Tian.
"Indeed, Your Highness, I acknowledge America's industrial strength. However, they merely hold the title of the highest industrial output in the world. In other words, their industrial output is high, but not necessarily robust. In many advanced fields, the Empire is significantly ahead of the U.S. Furthermore, while America has a large population, its army is relatively small, poorly equipped, inadequately trained, and lacks combat effectiveness. Their navy, although subordinate to ours and Britain's, does not pose a threat to the Empire. Undeniably, America possesses formidable industrial capabilities, allowing them to construct numerous warships, but shipbuilding is a time-consuming process. Even if the U.S. were to declare war on us, their industrial power could not be swiftly converted into military might. Thus, we have no reason to fear them!" Tirpitz asserted.
After hearing Tirpitz's words, Qin Tian experienced an epiphany. He realized that his fear of America stemmed from memories of the future rather than the present reality. If the future America were a dominant, powerful Uncle Sam, the current United States resembled a youthful and inexperienced version. Though they had the potential to grow into a superpower, they still fell short compared to the resplendent Germany.
"Indeed, Marshal. I have overestimated America's strength. They enjoy a strategic geographical position, separated by two oceans, coupled with vast territory, abundant resources, and a significant population that fuels a developed industry, providing them with the potential to become a superpower. Yet, this potential remains just that—potential. They have not yet matured into a superpower, and their military capability is certainly not comparable to that of the Empire. Thus, the Empire need not harbor undue fear of them!" With this realization, Qin Tian's perspective shifted, and he recognized that the current America was not an insurmountable foe.
"Let us proceed in this manner, Marshal. Tomorrow, His Majesty will convene a court meeting, and we can discuss this matter during the assembly. I believe we will arrive at a comprehensive strategy." Qin Tian proposed.
"Very well, Your Highness," Tirpitz nodded in agreement.
After Marshal Tirpitz departed, Qin Tian could not help but chuckle wryly, shaking his head.
"Fixed mindsets can be perilous! Such rigidity nearly cost us the chance for an early resolution to the war!" Qin Tian lamented.
Originally, he had no desire to confront the United States at this juncture. Doing so would inevitably prolong the war, inflicting greater losses on the German Empire and granting the Americans an opportunity to further weaken Germany's power. This would be profoundly disadvantageous for Germany's future ambitions to defeat the U.S. and maintain its status as a world power.
The strength of the United States was indeed formidable. However, the current America lacked the capital to compel the German Empire into retreat. While their industrial might could become fearsome if converted into military power, defeating such an America would be a daunting challenge. Fortunately, this version of Germany was considerably stronger than its counterpart in another timeline, precluding any opportunity for the current U.S. to intervene in the war.
According to Qin Tian's plan, the German army was set to achieve a breakthrough on the Western Front this spring, defeating the British and French forces, toppling France, and further compelling Britain to surrender. Should Britain refuse to capitulate, preparations for an invasion of the British mainland would commence.
The Imperial Navy, too, aimed to defeat the Royal Navy in the first half of the year, ideally before the decisive land battle commenced, severely crippling their primary naval forces. This would enable the German Navy to secure control over the Atlantic, laying the groundwork for an invasion of Britain.
If both the German Army and Navy could secure victories on these fronts, the threat posed by the Americans would be minimal. In fact, the demonstration of formidable German military strength might deter the U.S. from any rash actions, compelling them to watch as Germany emerged victorious and claimed its status as a global power.
Once Germany reaped the rewards of victory, the United States would no longer pose a significant threat to China.